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Quake Triggers Tsunami – Headed Towards The Philippines

Update: an official at Japan’s Meteorological Agency said there was no longer any danger of a destructive tsunami headed for the Philippines, as had been predicted. “The danger has passed,” said Hiroshi Koide of the agency’s earthquake section. “We predicted tsunami based on the depth and magnitude of the earthquake. But ultimately, it appears no large tsunami were triggered.”

A powerful quake struck off southwestern Taiwan on Tuesday, triggering a potentially destructive tsunami that was headed toward the Philippines on the second anniversary of the deadly waves that killed thousands in south Asia

The quake, with a preliminary magnitude of between 6.7 and 7.2, was felt throughout Taiwan. It collapsed two homes in the southern city of Pingtung, trapping six people, ETTV cable news reported. The quake also triggered fires and gas leaks, the station said.No deaths were immediately reported.Japan’s Meteorological Bureau said a 3-foot-high tsunami was expected to hit Basco in the Philippines, about 125 miles southeast of the quake’s epicenter.“There is a possibility of a destructive local tsunami,” the bureau said. “However at some coasts, particularly those near the epicenter, higher tsunami may arrive.”The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no threat of a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami, based on historical earthquake and tsunami data, but that they would not know for about an hour what the threat might be to Taiwan or the Philippines.